Storage and locking assembly for skis and poles

ABSTRACT

A circular ski rack is disclosed which can be adjustably positioned vertically for different snow depths. A simple foolproof locking assembly is provided for clamping and locking skis to the rack.

United States Patent Busch et al.

[ Mar. 27, 1973 STORAGE AND LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR SKIS AND POLES 'Paul F. Busch, Portola Valley; John F. Krumme, Woodside, both of Inventors:

Calif.

Assignee: Ski Valet, Inc., Portola Valley, Calif.

Filed: Oct. 7, 1970 Appl. No.: 78,792

U.s. c1. .194/64, 211/60 SK 1111. c1. ..A47f 7/00 Field of Search ..194/64, 1; 211 9, 60 SK, 4

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Steiner ..21 1/60 SK Clemons et al... ..l94/64 Zurker .2] H60 SK Braun ..194/64 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Limbach, Limbach & Sutton ABSTRACT A circular ski rack is disclosed which can be adjustably positioned vertically for different snow depths. A simple foolproof locking assembly is pro- .vided for clamping and locking skis to the rack.

15 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmzmra ,722, 52

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JOHNEKRUMME BY ZZM TZAZW ATTORNEYS STORAGE AND LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR SKIS AND POLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed in general to storage and locking facilities and more particularly to a coin-operated rack for storing and locking skis.

At recreational ski areas it is necessary for the protection of the patrons property to provide facilities to safeguard skis for limited periods of time when not in use, such as overnight or while the skier stops for his meal or to rest.

There have been a number of racks designed for storing and locking skis, but to date all of these racks have had a number of deficiencies. These racks have been designed in single or back to back rows of individual receptacles for holding the skis in a-vertical position and wherein a lower compartment or bracket is provided to receive the bottom portion of the skis below the ski bindings and a locking clamp or bar provided to encircle and clamp the skis above the bindings. In this manner the skis can be held in place against removal unless the locking clamp is opened.

These storage racks are typically coin-operated in a manner similar to coin-operated storage lockers and wherein provision is made to receive a quarter so that the clamping device can be operated and the key extracted. The mechanisms used for clamping and locking have provided unwieldy arrangements particularly since the skier using the locking facilities is holding his skis and poles while trying to operate the locking device.

When these locking facilities are provided most conveniently in the areas where skiers take off and put on their skis the racks are exposed to the elements. Especially in resorts where the snow depths fluctuate greatly this condition requires removal ot' the snow on and around the racks to permit easy operation. With the accumulation of a large amount of snow on the ground the rack can end up in a sizable depression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, efficient ski storage and lockin apparatus which will effectively prevent theft.

One feature and advantage of the present invention is the provision of a ski-holding assembly which can be 7 elevated up and down as the snow depths vary to position the rack at the appropriate height for operation by the skiers. This feature is accomplished by location of the holding portions for the skis circularly around a vertical axis and provision for moving the assembly up and down along the axis to the desired vertical location for the existing snow depth.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is the provision of the coin-receiving portion of the locking assemblies for all assemblies on a given rack in a single compartment for ease in collection of the Another feature and advantage of the present invention is the provision of a receptacle for receiving portions of ski poles flush against the rack for confinement by the face ofthe skis to enable the skier easily to place his skis and poles into the rack and remove them from the rack.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a simple foolproof locking assembly is provided for clamping the skis to the rack wherein a ratchet bar is provided for clamping the skis and poles in the rack and wherein the ratchet bar will lock itself only when closed in one position.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will .become more apparent upon perusal of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference numerals refer to similar structure in each of the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a prior art ski storage and locking device.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged elevational sectional view of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a ski storage and locking device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a foreshortened elevational sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 in the direction of the arrows with the locking mechanism in unlocked position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 4 slightly rotated toward locked position.

FIG. 6 is. a perspective view partially exploded of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the locking mechanism in locked position.

FIG. 8 is a top view partially in section of the clamping and locking structure of the invention in locked position.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 7, but showing another embodiment of the invention.

While it will be appreciated that the present invention is directed, to a storage and locking assembly that canbe used for numerous instruments such as tolls, umbrellas and sporting items it is ideally suited and particularly designed for use as a ski storage rack and will be described with particular reference thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART DEVICES Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a prior art ski storage and locking assembly 11. As shown, the assembly includes a plurality of individual ski locking compartments l2 arranged in a row along a lower support bar 13 and an upper support plate 14. Each locking compartment 12 includes a retaining bracket 15 on lower bar 13 and a locking assembly 16 on support plate 14 and including a coin-operated key lock mechanism 17. Skis are inserted in the assembly 11 by dropping the lower ends of the skis through bracket 15, moving first the skis and then the poles into the upper clamping assembly 12 and closing and operating the clamping assembly 16 in conjunction with the key'lock mechanism 17. One typical clamping assembly 16 of the prior art is that as shown in FIG. 1A including a bar lshaving two outwardly projecting hook portions 19 for receiving the poles after the skis have been inserted in the assembly. It will be appreciated that it is rather difficult to hold the skis in place and properly position the ski poles in the hookshaped portions 19 while simultaneously pushing the retaining bar 18 into place to clamp and hold the skis and poles. 1

Another type of prior art storage and locking assemblyis one similar to-that as shown in FIG. 1 but including a different locking bar wherein a metal bar plate hinged at one end is swung across an opening into which the skis and poles are inserted with the other end of the bar plate provided with an angularly projecting portion which fits into and is locked in place in a slot. The major problem with this prior art device is the criticality of alignment for the swinging bar. If the bar is bent in. any way or moved out of alignment on its rotating axis it will not close and lock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A storage and locking assembly 20 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2-8.

The assembly 20 includes a flat base or ground engaging platform member 21 provided with an upwardly projecting pipe section 22 to receive a vertically positioned pipe or tubular member 23 on which the skiholding assembly 24 is sli'dably supported. The skiholding assembly 24 includesa hollow cylindrical pipe or sleeve 25 and lower and upper support assemblies 26 and 27 respectively.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the lower support as- I sembly'26 includes a pair of disc members 28 and 29 such as of spun, hydroformed or cast material connected such as by welding at their outer periphery to a circularly directedconnection rod 31 and connectedat their, inner end such as by welding to a bushing 32 for connection to the tube 25. For providing an assembly which cannot be disassembled for theft of the skis mounted therein bushing 32 can be connected to the tube 25 by slidable insertion on-the outside surface thereof and joined thereto by a bolt 33 threaded from inside tube 25 through the tube and into the-bushing 32 before the tube 25 is slidably positioned'on the upright post 23.

At each of the ski storage positions circumferentially aroundthe rack a ski-retaining structure is provided at each support assembly 26 and 27. In the embodiment illustrated this retaining structure at the lower support assembly 26 is in the form of a wire basket 34 that will not collect snow'but to receive and support the base of the skis therein. These baskets 34 are secured adjacent their upper ends to the lower support assembly 26 such as by welding to disc member 28. Instead of the basket 34 any arrangement for encircling the skis at the lowersupport assembly 24 and holding the bottoms therebelow can be used. For example, the discs 28 and '29 could have peripheral slots cut or provided to encirwelding, to a hollow cylindrical steel member 44 de-' pending downwardly therefrom and punched toreceive a series of clamp and lock assemblies 40 around the circumference thereof as described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 4-8.

A lower apertured disc 45 is provided in the upper assembly 27 enclosing an annular space 46 around the tube 25 to receive and hold the coins which operate the locking mechanisms. Disc 45 is secured, such as by welding, at the aperture thereof to a bushing 47 slidable on the tube 25 below bushing 42 supporting the upper disc 41, and disc 45 is held up against a ridge or flange 44 in the cylinder 44 by a padlock 48 extending through an aperture in a rod 49 which passes through an aperture 50 in. disc 45 and is secured, such as by welding, to the bushing 42. A retainer washer 52 is provided at the lower end of rod 49 so that the coins can be removed from the assembly by unlocking the padlock 48, dropping the disc 45 down to the washer 52 and removing the coins supported on the upper surface of the disc 45.

A set screw 83 (See FIG. 3) is provided in the collar 42 and/or tube 25 to lock collar 42 and thus tube 25 in a particular desired position and height longitudinally of post 23. Depending upon the amount of accumulated snow in the vicinity of the rack the rack can be adjusted vertically of the post 23 simply by loosening set screw 83, adjusting the height of the rack 24 and retightening the set screw. A rack identification number isprovided on a toppingmember 84 at the top tube 23 preventing removal of the rack therefrom.

, Each locking assembly 40 (See FIG. 8) includes a casting 61, one side of which includes a lip 62 projecting through an opening in cylinder44 to hold one side of thecasting in place and with a bolt 63 screwed into the casting through an aperture 60' spaced from opening 60 in cylinder 44. The casting includes a pair of spaced apart bushing apertures 64 and 65 to receive the long and short legs, 71" and 71', respectively, of alshape d rod 66 tofencircle the skis and hold them in place with a pair of cut out vertically extending grooves 67-and68 to receive the shaft of ski poles in the casting.

The long leg 71 of the J-shaped rod 66 includes a series of notches 69 cut into the rod for approximately 90of the rod circumference to prevent outward axial movement of the leg 71 when the rod is in locked position as described below. A U-shaped catch spring 72 is mounted via one leg portion on bushing 64 on the inside of the assembly 27 by a snap ring and prevented against rotation by a ridge 61' on the inside surface of casting 61. The other leg of spring 72 includes an opening 70. passing the rod leg 71, and a straight edge of opening engages the rod leg 71 in locked position as described below. A lock actuator block 73 isirotatably mounted on the casting 61 for rotation on a shaft 74 by a'key 74. and includes a cam surface 75 for moving the lock catch 72 between an unlocked position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 where the edge of ope'ning70 is out of contactwith leg 71 of the rod 66 and a locked position as shown in FIG. 4 wherethe edge of opening 70 is in contact with rod leg 71. The spring 72 is biased toward the cam surface 75 so that the free end 7 2' of the spring 72 rides on the cam surface 75. The lock actuator block 73 includes a slot 77 which aligns with an opening 77' in casting 61 when in unlocked position to receive the proper sized coin and an extension 73' that closes off the slot 77 when the block is in locked position (See FIG. 7). The outwardly facing surface of extension 73 can have the word LOCKED longitudinally embossed thereon so that this word appears in the coin slot 77' when the assembly is in locked position.

A release spring 76 is connected such as by screws to a ridge 61" on the inside surface of casting 61 to cooperate with the actuator block 73 to prevent rotation of the block 73 from unlocked position to locked position without the presence of the proper sized coin.

This release spring 76 includes a central narrow bent portion 78 which extends into a slot 79 of the actuator block 73 and a wider free end portion 81 extending transversely of the narrow portion 78 and engaging the actuator block and preventing rotation thereof from unlocked to locked position unless there is a proper sized coin in slot 77.

When the proper sized coin is inserted into the slot 77 and the actuator block 73 rotated by the key 74, the coin causes the central portion 78 of the spring 76 to raise up out of the slot 79 causing end 81 of the spring to clear the lock actuator 73 as shown in phantom in FIG. 5 so that the lock actuator can be rotated to locked position (FIG. 7) whereby the coin will fall from the slot in the actuator block73 into the space 46 in the upper locking assembly 27. The key 74' can only be removed when the block 73 is in locked position, and the actuator blockcan only be returned to unlocked position by rotating the key 74 in' that direction.

The actuator block 73 also includes a bore 82 of a diameter slightly smaller than operating coin size and intersecting slot 77 to pass coins smaller than that to be operated with the system so that the locking assembly cannot be operated with undersized coins.

When the locking bar 66 is lined up to have the short leg 71' inserted in bushing 65 the slots on the bar are of the notches 69 but pulling the leg outward forces the spring up between the perpendicular notch surface and the bushing 64. If the bar 66 is inadvertently pushed in other than aligned position with bushing 65 when the actuator block 73 has been moved to locked position, the bar 66 still can be pulled out, properly aligned with bushing 65 and then pushed in since the notches 69 hold the bar 66 against outward movement only for the properly aligned position. V

From the above the ease in operating the storage and locking rack will be appreciated. The coin is first inserted in the slot, the key turned to rotate the actuator 73'to locking position and the key removed. The skiers poles can then be inserted in slots 67 and 68, the lower end of the skis placed in basket 34, the upper end of the skis placed over the poles and the locking bar swung into position where the short leg 71' is aligned with bushing 65. Then the bar can be pushed into place with the spring 72 riding over the notches until the short leg 71 of the bar 66 is inserted into bushing 65 to the extent desired to clamp the skis in place.

To open the lock the key is inserted'and the actuator block rotated whereby the spring end 81 rides on block surface 83 and cam surface moves the edge of spring opening 70 clear of the notches on the long leg 71 of the bar permitting withdrawal of the bar for removal of the skis.

It will be understood that the catch spring 72, actuator block 73 and release spring 76 can be fabricated in a number of different shapes and still perform the same function. For example, another embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 wherein the rod 66 is shown in closed position but the locking assembly is shown in unlocked position.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a locking assembly 40' including a casting 61' supporting the long and short legs 71 and 71, respectively, of the rod 66. The actuator block 91 is a portion of a disc shaped member including a central portion where the block is mounted on the key operated shaft 74", a circumferentially extending slot 92 for receiving the central bent portion '93 of a release spring 93 similar to spring 76 and'two circular cam surfaces 94 and 95 centered on shaft 74" and arranged sequentially around the periphery of the block 93. A locking bar 96 rotatably mounted at one end on the casting 61' via a pin 97 which also supports release spring 93 has an edge 98 that rides on the cam surfaces 94 and 95 and is held against the surfaces by. a spring 99 connected to the bar 96 and the block 91.

Surfaces 94, which is the unlocked position surface for bar 94, has a greater radius from shaft 74"than surface 95, which is the unlocked position surface for bar 94. A coin receiving slot 101' is provided in the block 91 and extends to the surface 94.

The bar 96 includes a beveled end 102 opposite the rotatably supported end. When the bar 96 is riding. on

the cam surface 94, the beveled end 102 is free from engagement with rod 66, but when the bar 96 is riding on the cam surface 95 the beveled end 102 engages the notches in the long leg 71. The block 91 is movedin a manner similar to the movement of block 73 for locking and unlocking the rod 66. The locked position of the locking assembly is shown in phantom in FIG. 9. y We claim: v

1.,A ski storage and locking assembly comprising a substantially vertical upright post,

a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, substantially circular upper and lower mounting as-v semblies connected to said tubular member for holding upper and lower longitudinal portions of skis, and means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions of said post; 2. A ski storage and locking assembly comprising a substantially vertical'upright post,

a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright Post, substantially circular upper and lower mounting assemblies connected to said tubular member for holding upper and lower portion of skis, means for releasably connecting said tubular member at differe'nt vertical positions of said post, said upper clamping assembly including a pair of spaced apart disc members and a hollow cylindrical member connected periphery of the upper of said disc members, and

a plurality of clamping and locking assemblies connected to said cylindrical member each for clamping and locking a pair of skis to said assembly,

said disc members and said cylindrical member defining a cavity therewithin for receiving coins from said clamping and locking assemblies. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a gushing located centrally of said upper disc member and connecting said upper disc member to said tubular member, a rod connected to said bushing and extending vertically downwardly to the lower of said members, and locking means on said rod for locking the lower of said disc members against movement downwardly. I w

4; The apparatus of claim 3 with said lower member having an aperture and said rod extending through said aperture when said cavity is closed, said locking means on said rod below said member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of wire basket members on said lower mounting assembly each for holding one end of a pair of skis and a plurality of clamping and locking assemblies on said upper mounting assembly each for holding the other end of a pair of skis.

61A ski storage and locking assembly comprising:

a substantially vertical upright post, v

r a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, upper and lower mounting assemblies connected to said tubular member for holding upper and lower portions of skis,

means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions of said post,

a plurality of coin operated rod locking mechanisms connected to said upper mounting assembly each for locking a pair of skis and comprising:

a mounting plate having a aperture for receiving a locking rod and a coin receiving'slot, i

a locking rod positioned within said aperture and having a plurality of notches along the length thereof, I I

a'locking member mounted on one side of said plate and having an edge engageable with said notches, means biasing said locking member to move said edge into said notches, and

a cam member mounted on said one side of said plate and moveable between unlocked position wherein said locking member is moved to maintain said edge out of said notches and a locked position wherein said loclking member is moved to maintain said edge in said notches,

a cam member release spring mounted on said plate and having adjacent the free end thereof a narrow. central bent portion and a wide end,

said cam member having a coin slot aligned perpendicular to said mounting plate, a circumferentialiy extending slot receiving said spring bent portion and an engagement surface engaging said spring wide end when said spring is not moved laterally by said spring bent portion engaging a coin in said slot and said bent portion dimensioned to move said wide end out of engagement with said engagement surface when a coin of specified size rests in said member coin slot.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said notches have a surface closest the end of said rod on said one side of said plate making an acute angle with the axis of said rod and another surface perpendicular to the axis of said rod whereby in locked position said rod can be pushed in but not pulled out.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rod is rotatably positioned within said aperture and the v desired locking position for said rod is limited to a predetermined rotational position and said notches extend around only a predetermined portion of the circumference of said rod including the rotational position of the rod in desired locking position.

9. A coin-operated rod locking mechanism comprising in combination:

a mounting plate having an aperture for receiving a locking rod and a coin receiving slot,

a locking rod positioned within said aperture and having a plurality of notches along the length thereof,

a locking member mounted on one side of said plate and having an edge engageable with said notches,

means biasing said locking member to move said edge into said notches, and

a cam member mounted on said one side of said plate and moveable between unlocked position wherein said locking member is moved to maintain said edge out of said notches and a locked position whereinsaid locking member is moved to maintain said edge in said notches,

a cam member release spring mounted on said plate and having adjacent the free end thereof a narrow central bent portion and a wide end,

said cam member having a coin slot aligned perpendicular to said mounting plate, a circumferentially extending slot receiving said spring bent portion and anengagement surface engaging saidspring wideend when said spring is not moved laterally by said spring bent portion engaging a coin in said slot and said bent portion dimensioned to move saidwide end out of engagement withsaid engagement surface when a coin of specified size rests in said member coin slot. i 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said notches have a surface closest the end of said rod on said one side of said plate making an acute angle with the axis of said rod and another surface perpendicular to the axis of said rod whereby in locked position said rod can be pushed in but not pulled out.,

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said rod is rotatably positioned within said aperture and the desired locking position for said rod is limited to a predetermined rotational position and said notches extend around only a predetermined portion of the circumference of said rod including the rotational position of the rod in desired locking position.

12; The apparatus of claim 9 including coin slots provided in said mounting plate and said cam member to receive a coin and means for closing said coin slot in said plate-when said locking member is moved to said locked position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 including indicia on said closing means identifying said locked position.

14.- A ski storage and locking assembly comprising:

a substantially vertical upright posts,

a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright a substantially vertical upright post, a tubular post, member slidably mounted on said upright post, upper and lower mounting assembly surrounding a mounting assembly surrounding said tubular said tubular member for holding upper and lower "E for PP g Portions f upstandlng portions of vertically positioned skis, 5 Skis, and means for releasably connecting said tubular means for F y f l l Sald f member at different vertical positions of Said post member at different vertical positions on said post. 15. A ski rack comprising: 

1. A ski storage and locking assembly comprising a substantially vertical upright post, a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, substantially circular upper and lower mounting assemblies connected to said tubular member for holding upper and lower longitudinal portions of skis, and means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions of said post.
 2. A ski storage and locking assembly comprising a substantially vertical upright post, a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, substantially circular upper and lower mounting assemblies connected To said tubular member for holding upper and lower portion of skis, means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions of said post, said upper clamping assembly including a pair of spaced apart disc members and a hollow cylindrical member connected periphery of the upper of said disc members, and a plurality of clamping and locking assemblies connected to said cylindrical member each for clamping and locking a pair of skis to said assembly, said disc members and said cylindrical member defining a cavity therewithin for receiving coins from said clamping and locking assemblies.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a gushing located centrally of said upper disc member and connecting said upper disc member to said tubular member, a rod connected to said bushing and extending vertically downwardly to the lower of said members, and locking means on said rod for locking the lower of said disc members against movement downwardly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 with said lower member having an aperture and said rod extending through said aperture when said cavity is closed, said locking means on said rod below said member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of wire basket members on said lower mounting assembly each for holding one end of a pair of skis and a plurality of clamping and locking assemblies on said upper mounting assembly each for holding the other end of a pair of skis.
 6. A ski storage and locking assembly comprising: a substantially vertical upright post, a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, upper and lower mounting assemblies connected to said tubular member for holding upper and lower portions of skis, means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions of said post, a plurality of coin operated rod locking mechanisms connected to said upper mounting assembly each for locking a pair of skis and comprising: a mounting plate having a aperture for receiving a locking rod and a coin receiving slot, a locking rod positioned within said aperture and having a plurality of notches along the length thereof, a locking member mounted on one side of said plate and having an edge engageable with said notches, means biasing said locking member to move said edge into said notches, and a cam member mounted on said one side of said plate and moveable between unlocked position wherein said locking member is moved to maintain said edge out of said notches and a locked position wherein said locking member is moved to maintain said edge in said notches, a cam member release spring mounted on said plate and having adjacent the free end thereof a narrow central bent portion and a wide end, said cam member having a coin slot aligned perpendicular to said mounting plate, a circumferentially extending slot receiving said spring bent portion and an engagement surface engaging said spring wide end when said spring is not moved laterally by said spring bent portion engaging a coin in said slot and said bent portion dimensioned to move said wide end out of engagement with said engagement surface when a coin of specified size rests in said member coin slot.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said notches have a surface closest the end of said rod on said one side of said plate making an acute angle with the axis of said rod and another surface perpendicular to the axis of said rod whereby in locked position said rod can be pushed in but not pulled out.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rod is rotatably positioned within said aperture and the desired locking position for said rod is limited to a predetermined rotational position and said notches extend around only a predetermined portion of the circumference of said rod including the rotational position of the rod in desired locking position.
 9. A coin-operated rod locking mechanism comprising in combination: a mounting plate having an aperturE for receiving a locking rod and a coin receiving slot, a locking rod positioned within said aperture and having a plurality of notches along the length thereof, a locking member mounted on one side of said plate and having an edge engageable with said notches, means biasing said locking member to move said edge into said notches, and a cam member mounted on said one side of said plate and moveable between unlocked position wherein said locking member is moved to maintain said edge out of said notches and a locked position wherein said locking member is moved to maintain said edge in said notches, a cam member release spring mounted on said plate and having adjacent the free end thereof a narrow central bent portion and a wide end, said cam member having a coin slot aligned perpendicular to said mounting plate, a circumferentially extending slot receiving said spring bent portion and an engagement surface engaging said spring wide end when said spring is not moved laterally by said spring bent portion engaging a coin in said slot and said bent portion dimensioned to move said wide end out of engagement with said engagement surface when a coin of specified size rests in said member coin slot.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said notches have a surface closest the end of said rod on said one side of said plate making an acute angle with the axis of said rod and another surface perpendicular to the axis of said rod whereby in locked position said rod can be pushed in but not pulled out.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said rod is rotatably positioned within said aperture and the desired locking position for said rod is limited to a predetermined rotational position and said notches extend around only a predetermined portion of the circumference of said rod including the rotational position of the rod in desired locking position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 including coin slots provided in said mounting plate and said cam member to receive a coin and means for closing said coin slot in said plate when said locking member is moved to said locked position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 including indicia on said closing means identifying said locked position.
 14. A ski storage and locking assembly comprising: a substantially vertical upright posts, a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, upper and lower mounting assembly surrounding said tubular member for holding upper and lower portions of vertically positioned skis, means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions of said post.
 15. A ski rack comprising: a substantially vertical upright post, a tubular member slidably mounted on said upright post, a mounting assembly surrounding said tubular member for supporting portions of upstanding skis, and means for releasably connecting said tubular member at different vertical positions on said post. 